Jospong Group partner with Austria to boost waste-to-energy and skills training

A team from the Jospong Group of Companies recently visited Austria. They focused on waste-to-energy solutions and a national apprenticeship program. This program aims to build skills through training.

The team included researchers, circular economy experts, and development professionals. They toured major recycling plants that produce Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF). This fuel meets energy generation standards and can replace fossil fuels.

They also studied Austria’s dual education system for apprenticeships. In this model, students receive 80% hands-on training and 20% classroom instruction. The Austrian Chamber of Commerce hosted discussions about this apprenticeship framework.

Mr. Thomas Reichenbach, an Education Advisor at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, explained its purpose. The model helps young people gain skills for employment and career growth.

Brigadier General Mike Akpatsu (Rtd.), head of Jospong Academy, led the delegation. He described the study tour as highly insightful. He noted that the Jospong Group employs many Ghanaian youth and learned valuable lessons on apprenticeships.

He expressed readiness to contribute to Ghana’s national apprenticeship program if given a chance. Mr. Jacob Ladi is the Project Manager for the Waste Academy Project in collaboration with ADA and Komptech GmbH. He emphasized that this study tour was crucial for their broader initiative.

One key outcome will be a waste-to-energy research project in Ghana. Researchers from Africa Environmental Sanitation Consult (AfESC) will collaborate with the Technical University of Vienna on this project. The research aims to create a blueprint for implementing waste-to-energy solutions in Ghana and Africa.

Mr. Ladi highlighted that incorporating lessons from Austria's apprenticeship program is vital for skill development at Jospong Group. This approach will help tackle waste management challenges effectively.

He thanked the Austrian government for its support and expressed confidence in achieving project goals by 2027. Mr. James Deku, a Communications Officer at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, emphasized Jospong Group's commitment to sustainable waste management.

He stated that ongoing capacity building and knowledge-sharing are essential to their operations. The "Jospong-Komptech Waste Academy" initiative enhances capacity in waste management through knowledge transfer.

Launched last year in Ghana, this program is funded by ADA and Komptech GmbH. It reinforces Jospong Group's dedication to advancing waste-to-energy solutions and workforce development.